Funky Cedar Pollen Pustules

Okay, so I don't fully understand what these cedar sex organs are, but they caught my eye as I walked around the block with my 81 year old father. The red bulbs were brilliant. I took them home, set the stem in a glass of water on the dining room table, set up my macro kit and took a half-dozen shots, planning to do more the next day. The next day, the whole thing was brown and there was a cloud of magenta pollen on the dining room table.

Processing and composition suggestions welcome. I'll do better with composition next time when I know how short my window will be.


Canon 7d with 100mm macro on tripod/focusing rail
ISO 100, f/13, 6s with remote release
natural and indoor incandescent light (don't have off-camera flash)
Single shot (3 shot stack later if it turns out out)

Still a nice shot Marylynne. Great lighting and I liked the story too. I've never paid attention to these but there's lots of cedar trees around me so I think I'll do a bit of hunting tomorrow.

Marylynne, those reds are amazing. I think this has real possibilities. Well seen.

Cool patterns! I like a crop that cuts to the edge 1/3 of the left and top half too, sort of abstract-like.

Thanks, Steve, Wade, and John:

John: Like this? I got rid of the top flank of needles and the excess background on the left. Holler if you meant something different.

Exactly! Awesome!!

Very unique, I like the 2nd cropped posting even better.

I've never noticed this, Marylynne. I think this is a great fine art/abstract shot as posted in the 2nd version. Great for educational purposes, too, if next time you take the shot of the spent brown needles and layer of pollen on the table. Make one of the branch as seen normally and the three would make a great triptych, yes? Nice work.

I've been thinking about a floral triptych of some sort for over the bed. This one might make me sneeze, but the colors are right ;-).

Very cool images Marylynne. The peach colored background really makes the needles stand out.

Thanks, Scott. The background is a table runner, but fortunately the aperture eliminated its woven texture. It was better than the dark wood of the table for creating contrast.